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Sports Reporter
SPECIAL Olympics Zimbabwe have completed the pilot phase of the Mattel Young Athletes and Family Programme and are now compiling an evaluation report to be submitted to Special Olympics Africa.
SOZ rolled out the Mattel Young Athletes Programme in August last year to identify children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of two and seven years so that they are roped into the Special Olympics programmes when they grow older.

While Special Olympics mainly focuses on giving year-round training and participation in sports for people with intellectual disabilities, the Mattel Young Athletes and Family Programme will integrate the normal children and intellectually disabled children in sports events.

Owen Makaruwa, the assistant sports director, yesterday said the programme was meant to build self-confidence and develop talent, especially among the intellectually challenged children, while encouraging tolerance from the other group.

“We started off in Tafara in August then another demonstration workshop was held in Chitungwiza and last week we were in Norton at the Town Council Hall.

“So we have done three demonstrations for the project and now we are doing a report. We will send the report to SOA and hopefully they will send to Special Olympics International,” said Makaruwa.

Makaruwa said the pilot project faced challenges but he is confident that SOZ will be better equipped to run future sports programmes.

“It was successful but we faced challenges in that the most people did not understand the concept of bringing children with intellectual disabilities and those who are normal together for sports.

“However, we highlighted that this project is not about children with intellectually disabilities only, but it was meant to integrate everyone,” he said.

On Saturday, the SOZ board is meeting to discuss their projects for this year as well as reviewing the forum recently held in Malawi by African leaders on intellectual disability in partnership with Special Olympics International.